Nick Samac is only Michigan State football player taken in 2024 NFL Draft

One of my biggest fears this year was not having any Michigan State football players taken in the NFL draft. I know MSU hasn't been very good on the field in recent years, so it's not surprising to see many Spartans not in a position to be drafted into the NFL.

But the last thing I want to see is no Spartan getting selected in the draft.

Thankfuly what happened in 2021 didn't happen this year as one Michigan State player did hear his name called towards the end of the final day of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Offensive lineman Nick Samac is the one and only Michigan State player to be selected in this year's draft. He was taken in the seventh round with pick No. 228 to the Baltimore Ravens.

Samac is a fifth-year player at Michigan State who was originally recruited to East Lansing by Mark Dantonio. His five-year career spanned from 2019-2023 and he made a total of 49 appearances throughout his career. This included 32 starts, as well as 10 starts in 11 games this past season.

Unfortunately for Samac, he suffered a season-ending injury in the Indiana game which kept him out of the season finale against Penn State. He also was unable to participate in many of the extra postseason events, like the senior bowl, which hurt his draft stock. Thankfully he was still invited to the NFL Combine, the only Spartan to participate in this event.

Seventh-round picks are never guaranteed to find success in the NFL, but I'm excited to see Samac's journey at the next level. I believe the potential for him is there, so if he is given a good opportunity I know he will make the most of it.

Here are some of the reactions online from Michigan State coaching staff, including Jonathan Smith, and the team after Samac was drafted.

It's cool to see him getting his shot.